St Pancras Hospital Redevelopment Proposal Informal Consultation with service users, former service users, staff and carers Conducted by Healthwatch Camden on behalf of the Camden and Islington NHS Trust. Introduction What is the Redevelopment Programme? The plans include a proposal to move the in-patient beds from St Pancras to a new, purpose built unit in Highgate. There is no plan to reduce the number of beds — just to move their location. The buildings at St Pancras would then be rebuilt and would continue to provide a range of outpatient mental health services. The new buildings on the site would occupy a smaller area which means the rest of the land could be leased or sold to cover the cost of building the new facilities. Aims We know that changes to a service can be difficult for patients, carers and staff. Healthwatch Camden wanted to talk to people who use the in-patient service currently located at St Pancras to find out what the proposed changes will mean for them. We also wanted to hear from people who have used the service in the past, as well as carers and hospital staff. Although the Trust commissioned this work and fully supported it, Healthwatch Camden interviewed staff, carers, service users and former service users 1 completely independently, to ensure everyone could be as open and honest as possible about their views and any concerns. Method The research used one to one in depth interviews. Interviews were structured with a set of five open ended questions. While responses to the pre-set questions were sought, free comment around the themes was encouraged. A maximum of 45 minutes was allocated per interview. Actual interview times ranged from 15 to 45 minutes per interview. Responses were recorded using hand-written notes with effort made to capture direct quotations. These were then coded to ensure anonymity. The responses were reviewed and the commonly occurring responses were identified to create a reporting framework. Each interview was then analysed using the reporting framework. Interviews were conducted with a total of 26 service users who were in-patients at the wards of either the St Pancras or Highgate Hospitals during the months of February and March 2018. At least two people were interviewed from every ward on both sites with the exception of Ruby Ward (the acute ward at St Pancras site) and those wards that are specifically for patients with dementia. Interviews were also conducted with, 5 former in-patients, 8 carers and 16 ward staff members. Seventy three per cent of the in-patients interviewed had experience of being an in-patient at both the St Pancras and Highgate Hospitals. In total, 55 Interviews were conducted over a period of two months during February and March 2018. Those interviewed included residents of both Camden and Islington although the majority were from Camden. The breakdown of interviewees is summarised in the chart below. 2 Interviews were conducted by a team of two people with experience of working with mental health service users. Arrangements to visit were made in advance with ward managers. Advice was taken on appropriate times to visit and care was taken to ensure that no one was asked to take part in an interview if they did not wish to do so. Those who volunteered for interview were given details of the scope and reason for the interview. Guidelines for the protection of the wellbeing of patients were observed at all times. Conversations focused on hearing about what service users, staff and carers value about the existing St Pancras Hospital and what they would like to see changed and improved if the Trust were to proceed with proposals to build a new in-patient facility in Highgate. We asked people whether or not the proposed change would involve problems for them and, if so, how these might be eased. Findings Overall, there was almost unanimous agreement that the existing facilities at St Pancras Hospital are not fit for the purpose of providing good in-patient care for people with mental health issues. The people we talked with were (with a very few exceptions) strongly in favour of a new purpose built mental health hospital to replace the facilities at St Pancras. However, some service users and carers value aspects of the St Pancras Hospital that they don’t want to lose and would like to see replicated in any new site. A small minority said they would prefer to retain the existing St Pancras Hospital. The central location and good transport links at St Pancras are highly valued by many. However, depending on the specific circumstances for the individual, a roughly equal number of respondents said a Highgate location would be easier for them personally. In addition to the location, some people talked about the friendly atmosphere and non-institutional environment at St Pancras. Some respondents commented that ideally the new facilities would be built on the existing site. However, many people said they thought that the potential benefits of a new purpose built hospital would outweigh any disadvantages associated with the re-location of the new site to Highgate. There were strong views expressed about expectations from a new build. Those interviewed offered a wide range of ideas and suggestions that should be considered in the planning and design process. 1. Are there good things about St Pancras Hospital that you would like to make sure are not lost if the in-patient wards move to a new building in Highgate? 3 Many of those interviewed like the current location of the St Pancras Hospital because of the good transport links and access to shops in Camden Town and Kings Cross. In general, in-patients tended to focus on what they liked about the surrounding shops or cafes and proximity to Camden town rather than on transport and travel. “People like the café in Crowndale Road – it’s popular with patients at St Pancras and nice because it’s in the community. There is a McDonalds in Archway and quite a few cafes but it’s quite a walk.” In-patient Some in-patients talked about the way in which location and transport links affect their visitors but the majority did not express strong views on the issue of transport to the different locations. “My family just want me to be well. The new location won’t bother them as they don’t visit.” In-patient “The issue of convenience for visitors isn’t a big deal for me. I don’t get any visitors.” In-patient In contrast, staff spoke more often about the good transport links at St Pancras and ease of access for those travelling to work from out of borough. The issues around transport and location were also raised by carers. Overall, for people based in south Camden the journey to Highgate is longer and more challenging but for people living in north Camden or in Islington the Highgate location was preferred. Among those interviewed there was a roughly even balance between those who felt travel would be easier to Highgate and those who felt it is easier to St Pancras. “The location and transport links are fantastic at St Pancras.” Staff member “For the majority of patients the new location won’t make much difference but carers and relatives will find it a nuisance.” Staff member 4 For some service users, familiarity with the area around St Pancras Hospital was important. Others prefer the Highgate area. “I always prefer to be at St Pancras. I don’t know the area around Highgate so going out was quite anxiety provoking for me there.” Former in-patient “I’d prefer to be up in Highgate. It’s quieter and less crowded. St Pancras is busy and built up. I get panicky in crowds.” In-patient Some people talked about other good things about the St Pancras Hospital. The architecture of the old buildings was a positive factor for some. “I like the old buildings at St Pancras but I recognise the maintenance challenges.” In-patient “St Pancras does have a bit of an old cosy family feel.” In-patient “The bricks are nice – some of them need to be saved because they are so ancient. I’d like to keep some of the architecture. Maybe make a brick wall (at the new building) from some of the old bricks from St Pancras.” In-patient The most common observations were about the team spirit and friendliness of staff with suggestions that the constraints of the run-down facilities generated a sense of strength in adversity. There were comments that St Pancras feels more homely and friendly and less institutional than the current Highgate Hospital. People who 5 like the site felt that the low rise buildings and Victorian architecture reduce the institutional feeling there. “I’d want to retain the friendly atmosphere and staff.” In-patient “The staff are very friendly at St Pancras. I think there is something about the unsuitable facilities that creates a sort of strength in adversity – a team spirit.” Carer “It’s not too institutional.” Former in-patient “There is a chaos about it but it’s alive. There is something about the old buildings – I like old buildings – and the fact that it is not purpose built that makes it a pleasant experience in difficult times.” Carer The great majority of service users, staff and carers were in agreement that the facilities at St Pancras are poor and are not fit for purpose. “There’s nothing good about St Pancras Hospital. The sooner they knock it down the better.” In-patient “St Pancras is a dreadful hospital with no redeeming features – it is a dump.” In- patient “In all honesty there’s nothing I’d like to see retained at St Pancras.